🍡 Imo-mochi (Sweet potato dumplings)

In Tokushima Prefecture, sweet potatoes are extensively cultivated. Particularly famous nationwide is the "Naruto Kintoki". The climate of Tokushima, characterized by a gentle atmosphere and low precipitation, especially along the coast, provides a mineral-rich environment that is well-suited for sweet potato cultivation. Imo-mochi is a confection made by wrapping sweet red bean paste in a dough made from steamed glutinous rice flour and sweet potatoes. Around the late 19th century, sweet potatoes were introduced to Naruto City in Tokushima, leading to the popularization of dishes incorporating sweet potatoes, such as Imo-mochi. During that period, sweet items like sugar were considered luxury items and were less accessible to ordinary households. However, sweet potatoes, being both sweet and a type of tuber, were relatively easy to obtain and were valued for providing a sense of fullness.